Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-08-26

again, and the brightness Of her eyes and
the soft color in her face told their own sto-
ry better than words.
They were married soon, creating a little
ripple Of excitement in the society world
but that soon died out and the young couple
were blissfully unconscious Of it all.
The count sent the son no moro money
but he was capable and determined, and al
though compelled to sell his Jewels to get
means for their immediate wants he was
not long in finding position as book keep
er in a bank, which paid him reasonably
well It was hard at first, for he had been
unaccustomed 70 work and TO care all his
life but as these grew familiar to him, the
burden seemed lighter, and his happy little
home was recompense enough.
One day he learned that the cholera was
raging in Brittany and that his only sister
and her two children had fallen victims TO
the dreadful scourge He left Paris for
his fathers house Immediately, but the an
ger Of his parents was too bitter TO be over
come even by this afiliction, and he found
no welcome The old priest, the life long
friend and adviser Of the family, received
him. but with bitter reproaches declaring
that all the misfortunes of the family were
brought about by his marrying an actress.
These reprouches, added to his grief for his
his family Cfor he tenderly loved his
mother), affected his health so seriously
that his physician ordered him to the coun-
try.
After selling their few possessions, they
went TO a quiet little hamlet, not far from
Raoul's own old home Here they heard
that his mother had been attacked by chol-
era, and, knowing how almost impossible it
was to procure proper care at this time,
Annette after much serious thought, de
termned TO make a sacrifice for her hus-
bands sake and go TO his mother and see
that she had all needed care After much
persuasion Raouls wife won a reluctant
consent from her husband.
Annette dressed herself as peasant girl,
wearing a red skirt, white apron and fichu
and tall cap with red ribbons, and ap-
peared very lovely in such a dress. She
sought the priest, who had met Raoul when
he went home, and fell upon her knees be-
fore him, begging his blessing and help
"What can l do for you p he asked in
surprise.
Lead me to the countess, she plead
Il am her daughter-n-law, the wife of
Raoul. Let me act daughters part in
nursing her back to health, and | am sure
my devotion shall gain for me the favor
that is now denied, and that | can win back
for my husband all that he has lost through
me-"
The priest promised to aid and promised
that he would not divulge her secret Ac-
cordingly she was presented to the countess
as country girl, who had offered to act as
nurse. The count thought her too young
but the priest assured him that she was a
married woman and would be faithful TO
her duty From Raou she knew well how
to please the count his father. At night
she took the full care of the countess, and
for weeks never failed in her attention and
care, and the countess was slowly brought
back to health
One night Annette heard the countess
| sigh. and asked the cause.
you do not know, my child, the sorrow
of being alone
"But you still have a son, madame you
are not alone"
Eyes, am alone
"But you have son, madame, persisted
the young nurse.
"Ah, ! see you have heard of him who
was my son, but you do not know all. Do
YOU think l do not love him because l do
not speak of him He was my idol |
worshiped him, but he left his mother for |
| know not whom-a woman who was on the
stage, an actress Oh, woman, | curse
| you - and she wept in uncomfortable grief.
Poor Annette was sorely disheartened.
The time came that she had set for her de-
parture, but the countess begged her to re-
main.
"Ah, no. am married and must return
to my husband, who longs for me-" said
Annette.
~ cannot have you leave me. You are
my one comfort. | cannot give you up.
Let your husband come here to you he can
have work here upon the farm.
"Oh no, madame-impossible.
''But why, my child Are you ashamed
TO show your husband to me y
Annette's eyes flashed. Not HE is
but wait-you have been ordered to go
for a drive let us go at once, and you shall
see him.
The carriage was Immediately ordered,
and, accompanied by the count and the
good priest, they were soon whirling away
into the country. In few hours they ar
! rived at a low, moss-covered cottage, and
Annette could no longer restrain herself,
but sprang from the carriage and eagerly
waited for the others to alight. As they
turned to enter the gate they saw pale
young man coming toward them from the
cottage, astonishment depicted in every
feature Annette sprang into his arms for
one blessed moment and then fell on her
knees before them, crying, Pardon par
don he is my husband
The count, recognizing his son, became
too enraged to control himself, and seized
him by the throat in a paroxysm of rage.
so" he hissed, ''you think to defy me.
| could strangle you; you ungrateful
wretch And this woman, your wife, has
PLAYED her part well, and is still the actress,
Bah !" and he thrust his son from him.
Raoul stood pale and calm; not for life
itself would he raise his hand against his
father. The countess, alarmed, fell upon
her husbands arm, pleaded with him to re-
member their child, their only son, and his
old-time love for, and pride in him that
he had done nothing wrong, simply had
married against their wishes, and had not
his wife proved herself heroic in coming to
them in their time of need
At first the count flushed with mortified
pride, but could not hold out long against
his wife's words, which touched his really
affectionate heart, and he impulsively
moved toward his son, with arms out
stretched and said, 1--WE iCiU forget the
past and bury that pride which has brought
us nothing but sorrow"
The good old priest could not restrain his
JOY, and hastened to lead forward the young
wife, the author of this reconciliation, that
she might be received as daughter where
she had been so long and unjustly scorned
1t did not take much trial or effort for
the count and countess to learn to sincere
ly love Annette, for she was lovely and
worthy their warmest regard. And the
old home was so much brighter for hel
presence that they lived to bless the day
when Raoul had disregarded their wishes
and had sacrificed all his prospects for no
ly love-Mme, Lenhof in Saturday Eren
s.,.. J